Measurements of rare B meson decay properties provide an alternative approach to direct searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. These decays, which proceed through flavor-changing neutral ...currents, can have interferences from new physics through loop diagrams and hence an excellent probe. In particular, the angular distribution of the decay B→K⁎μ+μ− can be measured to estimate the forward-backward asymmetries of the muons, the longitudinal polarization fractions of K⁎ and the differential branching fractions, as a function of the dimuon invariant mass. Results based on data recorded by the CMS experiment at centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV are presented.
Diclofenac sodium (Dc) was found to possess antibacterial activity against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, ...and Mycobacterium spp., in addition to its potent anti-inflammatory activity. The time-kill curve study indicates that this non-steroidal drug exhibits bactericidal activity against Listeria, E. coli, and M. tuberculosis. The antibacterial activity of Dc comes, in part, from its ability to inhibit the DNA synthesis of E. coli and L. monocytogenes. Dc could protect murine listeriosis, salmonellosis, and tuberculosis at doses ranged within its maximum recommended human or non-toxic ex-vivo dose. Dc possesses anti-plasmid activity and acts as a 'helper compound' in synergistic combination with streptomycin against E. coli and Mycobacterium or gentamicin against Listeria. This review focuses on the possible use of Dc, a non-antibiotic helper compound, in infections and inflammatory conditions, rationalized on the basis of the activities of the compounds.
Abstract The appearance of multiresistant bacterial strains coupled with the globally ongoing problem of infectious diseases point to the imperative need for novel and affordable antimicrobial drugs. ...The antibacterial potential of cardiovascular non-antibiotics such as amlodipine (AML), dobutamine, lacidipine, nifedipine and oxyfedrine has been reported previously. Of these drugs, AML proved to have the most significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Time–kill curve studies indicate that this Ca2+ channel blocker exhibits bactericidal activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus . AML could protect against murine listeriosis and salmonellosis at doses ranging within its maximum recommended human or non-toxic ex vivo dose. AML acts as a ‘helper compound’ in synergistic combination with streptomycin against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains in vitro as well as in the murine salmonellosis model in vivo. The present review focuses on the possible use of cardiovascular non-antibiotics such as AML as auxiliary compound targets for synergistic combinations in infections and hypertension conditions, rationalised on the basis of the activities of the compounds.
A light Higgs boson with substantial branching ratio into invisible channels can occur in a variety of models with: light neutralinos, spontaneously broken lepton number, radiatively generated ...neutrino masses, additional singlet scalar(s) and/or right handed neutrinos in the extra dimensions of TeV scale gravity. We study the observability of the WH and ZH modes at LHC with H decaying invisibly, by carrying out a detailed simulation with two event generators (HERWIG and PYTHIA) and realistic detector simulations (GETJET and CMSJET). We find that the signal with ‘single lepton plus missing ET’ resulting from WH production suffers from a very large background due to the (off-shell) W∗ production via the Drell–Yan process. In contrast, the ZH mode provides a clean signal in the ‘dilepton plus missing ET’ channel. By exploiting this second signature, we show that invisible branching ratios of Higgs bosons, BRinv, larger than ∼0.42 (0.70) can be probed at 5σ level for MH=120 (160) GeV, respectively, assuming an accumulated luminosity of L=100 fb−1.
The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of a methanol extract of Bauhinia racemosa (MEBR) (Caesalpiniaceae) stem bark in various systems. ...1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide radical, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays were carried out to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the extract. The antioxidant activity of the methanol extract increased in a concentration-dependent manner. About 50, 100, 250, and 500 microg MEBR inhibited the peroxidation of a linoleic acid emulsion by 62.43, 67.21, 71.04, and 76.83%, respectively. Similarly, the effect of MEBR on reducing power increased in a concentration-dependent manner. In DPPH radical scavenging assays the IC50 value of the extract was 152.29 microg/ml. MEBR inhibited the nitric oxide radicals generated from sodium nitroprusside with an IC50 of 78.34 microg/ml, as opposed to 20.4 microg/ml for curcumin. Moreover, MEBR scavenged the superoxide generated by the PMS/NADH-NBT system. MEBR also inhibited the hydroxyl radical generated by Fenton's reaction, with an IC50 value of more than 1000 microg/ml, as compared to 5 microg/ml for catechin. The amounts of total phenolic compounds were also determined and 64.7 microg pyrocatechol phenol equivalents were detected in MEBR (1 mg). The antimicrobial activities of MEBR were determined by disc diffusion with five Gram-positive, four Gram-negative and four fungal species. MEBR showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. The results obtained in the present study indicate that MEBR can be a potential source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.
A library of arylidenefuropyridinediones was discovered as potent inhibitors of Leishmania donovani Topoisomerase 1 (LdTop1) where the active molecules displayed considerable inhibition with single ...digit micromolar EC50 values. This molecular library was designed via intuitive scaffold hopping and bioisosteric modification of known topoisomerase 1 inhibitors such as camptothecin, edotecarin and etc. The design was rationalized by molecular docking analysis of the compound prototype with human topoisomerase 1 (HTop1) and Leishmania donovani topoisomerase 1(LdTop1). The most active compound 4 displayed no cytotoxicity against normal mammalian COS7 cell line (~100 fold less inhibition at the EC50). Similar to camptothecin, 4 interacted with free LdTop1 as observed in the preincubation DNA relaxation inhibition experiment. It also displayed anti-protozoal activity against Leishmania donovani promastigote. Crystal structure investigation of 4 and its molecular modelling with LdTop1 revealed putative binding sites in the enzyme that could be harnessed to generate molecules with better potency.
Late intrusive Tukureswari granitoids (TKG) and the Barbhita granitoids (BBG) of Goalpara district in western Assam constitute an important component of the continental crust of the Shillong Plateau. ...Thus, the geochemical study of these two granitoids involving their origin, classification and petrogenetic significance would be a contribution towards a better understanding of the evolution of continental crust of the Shillong Plateau.
The major oxide and trace element geochemistry reveals several genetic issues on these two granitoids. The I-type affinity of the TKG is indicated from the geochemical features such as high TiO
2
, P
2
O
5
and K
2
O contents, low normative corundum (< 1%), high Na
2
O/K
2
O ratios, and low concentrations of Ni, Co and Cr. Further, enriched LREE-LILE and HFSE depletion, as well as the normal calc-alkaline nature of arc affinity (e.g., enhanced LILE abundance and low HFSE/LILE ratios) of the TKG indicate subduction-related magmatism. TheTKG are also categorized as a deep-level pluton, being enriched in LREE and depleted in total REE and HFSE (Y, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf). The high La/Nb ratio (1.9–8.6), negative Nb and Ti anomalies also suggest orogenic related magmatism.
On the other hand, the geochemistry of the BBG reveal a high Niggli Si and Mg values, slightly high normative corundum values (2.16–3.41), high Th/Ta, Y/Nb, La/Nb, K
2
O/Na
2
O, and Rb/Sr ratios. It also shows ASI, K, Rb, and U contents, prominent depletion of Nb, Sr and Ti on the primitive mantle-normalized multi-element spider diagrams and a low concentrations of Cu, Cr, V and Na
2
O (> 3.2%). All these geochemical characteristics provide strong evidences in support of a sedimentary parentage for Barbhita granitoids (BBG) and are dominantly of S-type.
The present study provides data collected during rescue operations involving Bengal slow loris Nycticebus bengalensis which were carried out opportunistically in and around Itanagar Wildlife ...Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India. A total of 27 individuals consisting of 21 males and 6 females were rescued from the study sites; 81% of these were adult and 19% sub-adult. Of the 27 individuals, 12 were rescued from private gardens. All rescued individuals were kept under observation in the Biological Park zoo situated within the sanctuary, where they received the necessary treatment, and were then released to the wild in the sanctuary. Various anthropogenic threats were recorded in the study; these included illegal logging, firewood collection, forest fires and habitat encroachment to enable the traditional practice of shifting cultivation, and infrastructural developmental activities. The present study highlights factors impeding the conservation of slow loris in and around the sanctuary.
Aims: The interactions between nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and Listeria monocytogenes have not been sufficiently documented to date. The aim of this study was to investigate the ...possible effects of Diclofenac (Dc) in a murine listerial infection model.
Methods and Results: Dc was administered orally at 2·5 μg g−1 to female albino strain of laboratory mouse (BALB/c) thrice postinfection (1 × 108 CFU ml−1 oral challenge with L. monocytogenes ATCC 51774), which resulted in significantly (P < 0·01) reduced bacterial counts in liver and spleen, decreased (10‐fold, P < 0·05) hepatic colonization and necrosis, and caused up‐regulation of the expression of inflammatory cytokines (interferon‐γ, interleukin‐1β, tumour necrosis factor‐α), compared with drug‐free control.
Conclusions: Dc may be useful as a promising adjuvant to the existing therapies in controlling systemic listerial infection. Further, quantitative structure–activity relationship studies might contribute in manipulating it as a lead compound for the synthesis of new, more effective nonantibiotics, perhaps, devoid of side‐effects that could be recommended as a compassionate therapy for listeriosis.
Significance and Impact of the study: This is the first in vivo study designed to evaluate the antilisterial effect of the NSAID Dc with special emphasis on the immunological mechanism of action of the drug.
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